An adult man and a child were found shot to death in a Jackson home Monday afternoon in one of the most violent shooting sprees in Southeast Missouri in recent memory, leaving three more severely wounded in what police are calling an apparent murder suicide.

The youngest child, a near infant, was flown to St. Louis for treatment for a gunshot wound to the head, while an adult woman and another child were treated at Saint Francis Medical Center, Cape Girardeau County Coroner John Clifton said.

All of the dead and wounded suffered gunshot wounds. The dead man, who authorities suspect was the shooter, and the dead child, a 4-year-old girl, received single gunshot wounds to the head.

The man's wound appeared to be self-inflicted, Jackson police chief James Humphreys said.

Autopsies are scheduled for 9 a.m. today, Clifton said.

Police officers stood aside to allow an ambulance to exit the crime scene at 333 Mary St. Monday night, December 3, 2007, in Jackson. Five individuals were reportedly shot in the possible murder/suicide. (Kit Doyle)

The shooting occurred at 333 Mary St. in Jackson about 5:15 p.m. Monday.

Police responded to the address after the adult female victim ran into the sheriff's office, screaming that her husband had shot her, said chief deputy Lt. David James.

She'd been shot multiple times, suffering three gunshot wounds to the head and one to the shoulder, James said.

"It was a spur of the moment thing, it all seemed to have just happened in a flurry," he said.

When officers entered the house, it appeared neat and orderly, Clifton said, but a search revealed the deceased child's body in one of the bedrooms, and the suspected shooter was found dead in the dining room of the house.

Jackson Police Officer Larry Miller, left, and Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Deputy Aaron Fornkohl blocked off Mary St. Monday night, December 3, 2007, in Jackson, after police responded to a shooting on 333 Mary St. Five people were shot in the house in the rear left of the photo. (Kit Doyle)

About five ambulances and a medical evacuation helicopter responded to the shooting.

Police found the suspected murder weapon in the home, Humphreys said, but declined to release further details about the caliber of gun.

Investigators remained at the crime scene until about 11 p.m., collecting and processing evidence, Barnes said.

The home is reportedly owned by Katherine Moshiri, according to a family member who identified himself only as her brother.

Earlier in the day, a petitioner whose name was not listed on the Missouri courts Web site case.net filed for an ex parte order of protection against Shahin Moshiri, 35, of the same Mary Street address. Associate Circuit Judge Peter Statler issued the order and set a hearing date for Dec. 13.

Unofficial sources, including family members and neighbors, have named the deceased adult male as Shahin Moshiri.

Neighbor Mike Dugan said he mowed the lawn across the street from the home and recalls the man who lived there offering him soda on a hot day or a friendly wave each time he saw him.

"He didn't seem like the kind to go off the deep end," Dugan said.

bdicosmo@semissourian.com

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